MISSOURI'S CRAP SHOOT HAS LITTLE CHANCE OF STATE WIN

Gambling promises the poor what property performs for the rich: something for nothing.

- George Bernard Shaw

Although many Missourians may not be avid readers of the writings of George Bernard Shaw, they seem anxious to fulfill his conclusions on gambling. Within a short period of time, the state has lifted decades-old sanctions against numerous forms of gambling that were once outlawed in an effort to stem corruption in public life throughout Missouri.

These efforts were particularly vigorous during the 1930s when law enforcement officials were trying to stem numerous illegal activities of political and criminal groups in the state. Particularly threatening in that era were the efforts of the Pendergast machine, which illegally operated everything from slot machines to bookmaking while, at the same time, corrupting public officials from city halls to the state capital. It was then that legislative prohibitions against all kinds of gambling were instituted.

Missourians almost universally agreed that it was better to support public institutions by means of legally levied taxes than depend on the seldom-delivered generosity of illegal benefactors.

The anarchy of past lawlessness having been all but forgotten in the passage of time, Missourians have gradually agreed to relax gambling prohibitions for a number of reasons, not the least being that it is more pleasurable to rely on legal collections from once-illegal activities than fork over a portion of hard-earned wages and salaries. The rationale has been nothing if not logical: most people like to gamble, and, besides, Missouri's neighbor states are already doing it. The obvious conclusion: let's do it too.

It began innocently enough when several charitable and religious organizations sought the legalization of an activity that had been closely controlled by the Pendergasts decades before: bingo. Who could quarrel with civic organizations and even churches gaining important revenue by holding controlled bingo games for citizens who only wished a little sport along with their contributions to the poor and unfortunate?

The next leap was almost as logical. Bingo was really of little help toward stemming the higher and higher costs of government, and so now Missourians had a real chance to save tax funds by lifting the sanctions against state-controlled lotteries. Since Missouri was surrounded by states that already had these games in operation, and since no citizen in his right mind wanted to pay any more taxes than necessary, the restrictions against games of chance were also ended.

Besides, the sponsors (but neither the legislature nor the governor) promised the state's profit would go to support our young boys and girls who were simply waiting for improved educational opportunities in schools throughout 114 counties and the City of St. Louis. Those who warned that the most eager clientele would be the poor, and that the state's profits had been grossly over-estimated, might just as well have saved their breath.

Since horse racing is the sport of kings, and never mind the opportunity provided for a little betting on the side, the next logical step was pari-mutuel gambling at race tracks that did not exist.~~

This issue was again promoted under the guise of relieving the burdened taxpayer from handing over part of his salary to pay for such services as education, mental health and caring for the poor and ill. ~Despite attempts year after year to introduce this form of gambling to Missourians, the only revenue realized has been negative, since taxpayers are funding offices and employees whose most visible contribution to government has been watching the seasons change.

The next step in promising Missourians something for nothing is riverboat gambling. There wasn't much question, given the surprising lassitude of church groups in the state, that this proposal would be overwhelmingly approved at the Nov. 3 general election. Not only will the public "save" money on taxes, our neighboring states are already doing it. Gee, where have we heard that before?

The number of cities standing in line to institute this latest form of "civic improvement" is staggering. We will shortly have crap tables and slots in close proximity to our state Capitol, the Gateway Arch, the state's first seat of government and the site of our state's first settlement. Like McHale's Navy, these riverboats will provide fun, laughter, joy and boundless riches, attracting tourists from miles and miles around who will enrich our communities and our public coffers. So we are told.

There are a few glitches before this latest pot of gold promise can be delivered. The referendum we so enthusiastically embraced could have been written by a band of riverboat gamblers since it failed to provide for strict control over countless illegal and undesirable activities and conditions and made no realistic provision for state supervision. Even the restrictions that were provided failed to provide any real protection for either the gamblers or the public at large.

One unannotated hazard of riverboat gambling has already surfaced. Gambling promoters have entered politics big time, contributing thousands of dollars to candidates viewed as friendly to their cause. One out-of-state promoter became one of the largest donors to statewide candidates in the election just ended - and he hasn't yet received a license to operate in Missouri. Just think how generous he will become when his investment becomes dependent on the whim of the next set of political candidates.

Missourians are deluding themselves into believing they can attract tourist transfer dollars and create instant prosperity for all. We will soon have a glut of riverboat casinos, compulsive gamblers, illegal money launderers and mob gangsters in every participating city around the state. The millions of dollars in taxes invested to attract these "gold mines" will be at risk the minute operators receive a better offer somewhere else on the river. It's already happened in Iowa and it will occur in Missouri as well.

That's the only sure bet on Missouri's next gamble. The odds against our winning are formidable.